WoW Account Security
Durathor | 31 December, 2007Lately, there have been a number of posts detailing account hack horrors, most notably BRK’s guild bank being cleared out twice in the same day and a similarly traumatic account hack incident for Gun Loving Dwarf Chick’s guild.
So in the spirit of new years resolutions and all that, it is probably a good time to highlight Altitis’ guide to improving your account security. I don’t fully agree with all of the points, but if you read the post and also the comments below and apply some common-sense all should be well with the world.
In particular, I’d expand on step 7, that installing addons is generally fine, so long as you download the .zip file and extract it to the addons directory (as per the Lords site addon instructions). Running .exe files or installers can be dangerous and you’re advised to be confident of the origin of the package before running these. People do use WowAce updater and I’ve suggested the use of WUU previously, but just be careful and apply some common sense.
Other points Altitis makes are essential for anyone who owns a PC connected to the internet regardless of whether they play World of Warcraft or not, most notably:
- Get a firewall e.g. Free ZoneAlarm
- Get antivirus software e.g. Free AVG
- Get an ad-ware cleaner e.g. Free Ad-Aware
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I would agree with this list of software. I have been using AVG for a few years, I use SpyBot and Ad-Aware as well as Microsoft Windows Defender.
One thing to avoid, though, are the internet based free virus/spyware scans. These will always find something and then tell you that you need to pay for software to remove the threat. Some of these scans may actually install spyware on to your computer.
This is paranoia. I think any antivirus, default firewall, working through user (not Administrator) account should let you avoid any problems related to security of your computer. Anyway, basics of any security is – think before do.
Rag – you’re right, this is paranoia, certainly some of the more extreme tips in the original article are. Reading the distress caused by account hacks in BRK and GunLovin…’s blogs, I hope that the common sense security points here are enough to prevent any members of our guild from going through the same experience.
As you say, ‘think before do’ is the key
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